Kim Si-woo Becomes Youngest Golfer to Win PGA Players Championship

Kim Si-woo holds up the trophy after winning the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on Sunday. /AFP-Yonhap

Golfer Kim Si-woo on Sunday became the youngest player ever to win the Players Championship in the U.S.

Kim upset a field that included most of the world's top 50 golfers to win the tournament in Florida, often referred to as the "fifth major."

U.S. golf commentator Brandel Chamblee likened the 21-year-old's surprise victory to Donald Trump's shock U.S. election victory and the outcome of the Brexit referendum.

Among those competing in the prestigious tournament were world No. 1 Dustin Johnson of the U.S., No. 2 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, and No. 3 Jason Day of Australia.

Kim was the only player among the top 10 finishers not to record a bogey in his final round, during which he birdied three times. Carding a 10-under 278 overall, he finished three strokes ahead of co-runners-up Ian Poulter of England and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa.

Kim's second PGA Tour victory earned him US$1.89 million (US$1=W1,123). Kim also became the youngest player ever to win the title, breaking the record previously held by Australian Adam Scott, who won it when he was a 23-year-old in 2004.

In 2012, just two years after he began playing competitive golf as a middle school student, Kim drew attention by becoming the youngest golfer ever to make it through PGA Tour Q-School. But he struggled in the eight competitions that followed, withdrawing from one and missing the cut for the rest.

He made an immediate impact upon his return to the Tour last year, however, winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship. "Sunday's victory gives me confidence that I can win a major title," Kim said.